Battling Mountaineers advance to Canada volleyball semis

The Mohawk Mountaineers will take on the host Briercrest Clippers in semi-final play at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men’s Volleyball Championship in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on Friday (March 7).

The second seeded Mountaineers earned their spot, rallying twice for a 20-25, 27-25,14-25, 25-16,15-13 decision over the seventh ranked St. Thomas University Tommies of Fredericton on Thursday night. Meanwhile, Briercrest, seeded No. 6, downed No. 3 Douglas College Royals of New Westminster, B.C., in another exciting five-setter. The scores were 25-20, 24-26, 22-25, 25-20, 15-10.

Trevor McLaughlin (Photo: Mohawk Athletics)

Trevor McLaughlin, who had 17 kills and 16 digs against St. Thomas, was named Mohawk’s top player in their match.

Mountaineers’ head coach Matthew Schnarr credited the Tommies for their battle. He said Mohawk’s experience in their level of competition contributed significantly to the win.

“They made us work,” he said. “ I think we were a little nervous to start but we found a way to win and that’s what’s most important this weekend.” “We understand what type of battle that is and what it takes to win those battles … as long as we go out there and battle.”

The Mountaineers and Clippers will meet at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time), following the top seeded Red Deer Kings’ semi versus the No.5 Columbia Bible College Bearcats, of Abbotsford BC, which will start at 7 p.m. ET.

Red Deer downed eighth seeded Cegep de St. Jerome Cheminots of Quebec in three straight sets, while CBC swept the Humber Hawks of Etobicoke.

The losers on day one will go to bronze medal semi-finals, also on Friday. St. Jerome will play Humber and St. Thomas will face Douglas.